Factories continued to report growth in production, capacity utilization and volume of new orders, but the index in those categories fell to 4.5, 1.8 and 2.7 respectively, each a fraction of the scores earned a month earlier. Analysts said key indexes hit their lowest levels since December, excluding July, when bad weather disrupted operations.

The Dallas Fed completes a monthly survey of manufacturing activity and the outlook of owners. September’s survey covered 112 executives and was completed Sept. 11-19. Most of the readings were weak, officials said, suggesting that a decelerating trend from the second quarter has returned.